EP 473 | How Interior Designers Expand into Hospitality, Hotels & Restaurants with Edith Ponciano

March 24, 2026

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At some point in every design career, curiosity starts to feel like restlessness. You’re capable. Experienced. Successful. And yet—something feels contained.

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Edith Ponciano to explore what it really takes for interior designers to expand beyond residential work and step into hospitality, hotel, and restaurant design.

This isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about translating the skills you already have into a new context—one that involves different decision-makers, timelines, language, and expectations.

Edith shares practical insight into how hospitality projects operate, why reputation matters more than visibility in commercial work, and how designers can build credibility in unfamiliar environments without overreaching.

If you’ve been considering commercial or hospitality design but aren’t sure how to begin, this episode offers clarity on what actually matters—and what doesn’t.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

  • Why knowing who makes decisions on hospitality projects matters more than selecting finishes
  • How to step into new project types by observing and learning before leading
  • Why reputation compounds faster than visibility in commercial and hospitality design
  • How adapting your language for architects, operators, and vendors protects your design intent
  • Why doubt often signals missing context—not missing talent

 

DESIGN INTERVENTION

Curiosity isn’t random. It’s information. Listen to it.

 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

About Edith Ponciano

I’m an interior designer with over 15 years of experience designing hospitality spaces within stadiums, arenas, and training facilities. After spending more than a decade at a global architecture and interiors firm, I founded EP Atelier. I later created Mastering Hospitality Interior Design, a course and mentorship that helps designers expand beyond residential work. My focus is helping designers see new opportunities in an often-overlooked sector of the industry and step into it with confidence

www.epatelier.com

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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used for any legal decisions. Kimberley Seldon Design Group, Kimberley Seldon Productions Inc., Kimberley Seldon Design and Media, Inc., Business of Design™, or any of its affiliated companies or staff is not responsible for any errors or omissions effecting accuracy in any content, and they will not be held liable for the use or misuse of information, facts, details or any other aspects should there arise any defects, errors, omissions or perhaps inaccuracies. Extensive research has been conducted to put this podcast together for the purpose of educating our industry in order to better serve the public. Care has been taken to acknowledge ownership of copyrighted material. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is offered with the understanding that we do not render any legal, accounting or other professional advice. Seek the advice of a lawyer and/or other competent professional person in all matters of law. Further, listeners should be aware that internet websites mentioned may change or disappear between when this was recorded and when it was listened to.